Coil separator



June 3, 1969 c. A. WOLLAM 3,447,227

COIL SEPARATOR Filed July 27, 1967 Sheet of 2 INVENTOR. @424 A. WOLL/M/ WSMM Afro/205w June 3-, 1969 c. A. WOLLAM 3,447,227

COIL SEPARATOR Filed July 27, 1967 Sheet Z of 2 Tia. E.

*- 1- 3 INVENTOR.

64/24 ,4. WOLLAW United States Patent US. Cl. 29-239 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 0ne end of an elastic sheet is attached to a planar surface adapted to receive a plurality of adjacent coils arranged with coincident horizontal axes, and with confronting radial faces in contact with each other. The other end of the sheet is fixed to a crosshead which is guided for movement along the face of the planar surface. A fluid pressure motor is fixed to the planar surface at each end of the crosshead and their pistons are connected thereto, whereby the elastic sheet may be stretched and coils thereon will be separated when the pistons of the motors are extended. Antifriction rollers are confined between the planar surface and the elastic sheet.

This invention relates to coil separators. It is the purpose of the invention to provide a device for expeditiously separating coils of metal strip, e.g., aluminum strip, in an axial direction to permit the insertion of packing material such as cardboard disks between the confronting faces of adjacent coils before they are handed.

Wide coils of aluminum may be slit into a number of relatively narrow strip coils, a plurality of which are banded together for handling and shipping. Before coils are banded, they are separated in an axial direction for the purpose of inserting packing material such as cardboard disks between the confronting radial faces of adjacent coils. This operation has heretofore involved the manipulation of a stack of coils on the slitting line exit conveyor. A mechanical coil handling device supported from a hoist and jib crane grasps and lifts off the top coil (coil axes vertical) which is placed on a wooden pallet on the floor adjacent the conveyor. Packing material is placed on the coil so removed. The second coil is then lifted off the conveyor and placed on the coil on the pallet and packing material is placed over it and so forth, until the stack of coils is complete on the pallet. The described operation in some instances may take the greater part of an hour.

It is the primary purpose of this invention to provide a device for simultaneously separating the coils of a stack so that packing material can be interleaved between adajcent coils in a mere matter of minutes in contrast to the much greater length of time now required.

It is intended that the coil separator be assembled in line with coil handling and conveying equipment usually located between coils slitting equipment and a packaging and banding area.

Brief summary of the inventz'0n.-A device for separating coils of strip material comprising a planar surface adapted to support a multiplicity of adjacent coils, an elastic sheet overlying the surface for receiving a plurality of adjacent coils in contact with each other and arranged thereon with coincident horizontal axes, and means for stretching the sheet to separate coils resting thereon.

The full nature of the invention will be more clearly and fully understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in light of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coil separator in which the invention is embodied, parts being broken away to show underlying structure;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the coil separator on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of coils thereon with coincident axes disposed horizontally and showing the coil separator in a state of repose while the confronting faces of the coils are in contact with each other; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding in all respects to that of FIG. 2 with the exception that the coil separator is in its operative attitude, coils thereon being separated from each other and packing material having been interposed between the coils.

The coil separator includes a planar surface 10 adapted to support a multiplicity of adjacent coils C. The planar surface '10 which suitably may comprise a steel plate has supports 12 by which the device may be aligned with an exit conveyor or the like of a coil slitting line.

The coil separator in its simplest form consists of a sheet of elastic material 14 on which a plurality of adjacent coils C may be arranged with coincident horizontal axis. In a practical installation, the elastic sheet 14 consists of a plurality of plies of forty-five durometer neoprene having a total thickness of 1%" and being reinforced by nylon cords running diagonally between lateral edges of the sheet.

The sheet of elastic material 14 is so arranged on the planar supporting surface 10 that after the coils have been deposited thereon, the sheet may be stretched to separate the coils. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the elastic sheet 14 is clamped between 'a pair of steel clamping plates 16 and 18 which are bolted directly to the planar supporting surface 10.

The opposite end of the elastic sheet 14 is clamped between a second pair of steel plates 20 and 24 comprising a crosshead 25. Opposite ends of the crosshead 25 are guided respectively for movement of the crosshead along the face of the planar supporting surface. To this end guide angles 24 and 26 are fixed to the face of the supporting surface 10 to confine the respective ends of the crosshead as it is reciprocated outwardly to stretch the elastic sheet 14.

A suitable power device is connected to the crosshead 25 for stretching the elastic sheet. Fluid pressure mechanism may be suitably employed. In FIG. 1, such mechanism is shown as a first fluid pressure motor 28 attached to one end of the crosshead and a second fluid pressure motor 30 attached to the opposite end of the crosshead. The fluid pressure motors 28 and 30 are typically piston-cylinder arrangements connected by means of conduits 32 and 34 to a controlled source of fluid pressure, e.g., hydraulic pressure. The respective cylinders 36 and 38 are fixed to the face of the supporting surface 10 by means of end blocks 40 and 42. The piston rods 44 are connected to the crosshead such that projection of the piston rods will move the crosshead outwardly and stretch the elastic sheet 14.

Antifriction rollers 46 are confined between the planar surface 10 and the elastic sheet 14. These rollers are retained in place by means of angle irons 48 (only one shown) at the opposite edges of the elastic sheet 14. These rollers greatly facilitate stretching of the elastic sheet and the limited axial movement of the coils, as required to produce a separation between them.

When a plurality of coils are arranged on the elastic sheet with coincident horizontal axes, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, confronting radial faces of the coils are in contact with each other, as stated. Furthermore, as stated, it is desirable that protective packing material be placed between adjacent coil faces before a plurality of coils are banded together for handling and shipping. For this purpose,'the coils must be separated, as shown in FIG. 2.

Such separation is easily accomplished simply by admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure pistons 28 and 30 by way of a fluid pressure control system symbolized by the hydraulic conduits 32 and 34. The crosshead 25 will be moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, with the result that the elastic sheet 14 will be elongated and gaps will be formed between the several coils, as shown in FIG. 3, for the reception of packing sheets 50. When fluid pressure in the cylinders 28 and 30 is relieved, the elasticity inherent in the sheet 14 will return the crosshead 25 to its initial position, and the coils will again approach each other, clamping the packing sheet 50 between adjacent faces thereof. This entire process is facilitated by the antifriction rollers on which the elastic sheet 14 rests. Only a few minutes are required to separate a plurality of coils, insert the packing material, return the coils to the position in which the packing material will be engaged between coils, and continue the coils on their way to the banding area.

For some applications, it may be desirable to stretch the elastic sheet 14 from both ends. A two-way stretch can be secured by attaching both ends of the sheet to power means operative in opposite directions.

While the novel features of the invention have been illustrated and described in connection with a specific embodiment of the invention, it is believed that this embodiment will enable others skilled in the art to apply the principles of the invention in forms departing from the exemplary embodiment herein, and such departures are contemplated by the claims.

I claim:

1. A device for separating coils of strip material comprising a planar surface adapted to support a multiplicity of adjacent coils, an elastic sheet having a portion thereof anchored to said surface and overlying said surface for receiving a plurality of adjacent coils arranged thereon with coincident horizontal axes, antifriction rollers confined between said planar surface and said elastic sheet, and means for stretching said sheet to separate coils deposited thereon.

2. The device of claim 1, in which one end of said sheet is anchored to said planar surface and the other end is attached to said means for stretching said sheet.

3. The device of claim 1, in which one end of said sheet is attached to said planar surface and the other end is attached to a pair of fluid pressure motors.

4. The device of claim 1, in which one end of said sheet is fixed to a crosshead, means guiding each end of said crosshead 'for movement along the face of said planar surface, and the means for stretching said sheet is connected to said crosshead.

5. The device of claim 1, in which one end of said sheet is attached to said planar surface, the other end of said sheet is attached to a crosshead, said crosshead is guided at its opposite ends for movement along the face of said planar surface, and the means for stretching said sheet comprises fluid pressure pistons connected to opposite ends of said crosshead.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

FRANK E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 214-1 

